Environment

Hobart Airport is committed to our role in managing the environment while providing a sustainable airport operation. We have in place an Airport Environment Strategy which outlines our objectives and targets for continual environmental improvement.

Our Airport Environment Strategy (2015-2020) provides a long-term strategic vision for Hobart Airport and its interaction with the environment. Within the Strategy we have outlined our key objectives and targets in minimising our impact on the environment as a result of airport activities. The Strategy includes a description of the airport environmental values and the approach we are taking in order to manage those values sustainably. These are:

Heritage

In order to understand, preserve and manage sites of cultural heritage value we are committed to a proactive and cooperative approach with relevant government departments, community groups and organisations.

The Airport contains buildings and sites of both historic and Aboriginal heritage value. Llanherne House is heritage listed at the State level while the Air Traffic Control tower has recently been listed at the Commonwealth level. A number of Aboriginal Heritage sites exist in the form of isolated artefacts and artefact scatters. All sites have management plans which ensure their values are maintained and managed effectively.

Biodiversity

We have a range of biodiversity values at Hobart Airport that are unique to our island state and require careful management. These include vegetation communities that are listed at both the State and Commonwealth level and a range of threatened flora and fauna species. We manage these values through ongoing monitoring, condition assessment and evaluation.

To manage these values effectively we need to balance the protection of our biodiversity values with the operational aspects of wildlife management. We are currently working in partnership with the University of Tasmania to understand more about the echidnas that roam the Airport land.

An echidna monitoring and tracking program has been established and has been underway since early 2016. Additional fauna is monitored through the use of camera traps in order to understand the diversity and range of animals that call the Airport home.

Air Quality

We are committed to minimising impacts to regional air quality as a result of airport activities and to strive for continual improvement. We do this through a range of applications that include the reduction and use of ozone depleting substances, using clean energy sources and ensuring major projects consider the potential for air quality issues during both construction and operational phases.

Water and Soil Quality

Many activities on airport land have the potential to impact on land, surface water and groundwater. We manage these activities to minimise these impacts through site assessments and routine monitoring of surface and groundwater.

The Airport is in an environment that is surrounded by three water bodies, all of which become the receiving waters for the airport drainage network. It is therefore critical that we understand the nature and quality of the water and soil environment to ensure that Airport activities meet the requirements of relevant standards and regulations, including construction activities on all projects.

Energy and Natural Resources

We are committed to seeking ways in which to reduce resource use and the generation of waste and ‘greenhouse gases’ as a result of activities and operations at Hobart Airport. In order to better understand our carbon footprint we are participating in a voluntary global program with Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), having recently achieved level one accreditation for mapping our carbon footprint. It is from this point that we can implement measures in which to reduce our carbon footprint and make a difference to airport carbon emissions.

To complement this, we continually seek ways in which to reduce energy consumption and the use of natural resources by adopting the principles of sustainable design on new projects where possible. Examples of these measures can be seen in the Airport’s Administration Building and new Terminal areas.

Waste Management

We continually strive to improve our waste management streams through reuse and recycling and other initiatives that result in waste management efficiencies. Waste management initiatives have been implemented in the terminal buildings, Airport Administration and maintenance projects around the Airport.

All major projects are encouraged to address waste management and the reduction of waste while working on airport land. The management of hazardous waste that results from airport activities is an important part of ensuring that impacts to the environment are minimised through effective controls and storage options.

Noise

We are committed to applying the appropriate management and mitigation measures to reduce ground based noise emissions from activities at the Airport, including major projects, and that emissions produced meet legislative and regulatory requirements. We continue to engage with government and community stakeholders on issues related to ground based noise emissions and review and update procedures as required.

Annual Environment Report

The Annual Environment Report summarises Hobart Airport’s environmental performance over the course of each financial year and its environmental achievements to date within that time period. The report also highlights the key environmental objectives and actions for the following year. The Report fulfils the statutory requirements of the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 and is prepared using information derived from scheduled monitoring, reporting, on site environmental management, and supplementary investigations.

Work Permits

If you are planning any building works near Hobart Airport, be aware that some activities can impact airport operations. For example, high cranes could penetrate Airport Air space and impact aircraft safety.

We work closely with Clarence City Council, and the state and Commonwealth governments to ensure that any planned developments on or near the airport do not affect our passenger safety or long term operations.

All developers, builders and residents are encouraged to contact us or Clarence City Council as soon as possible if you are planning any activities in the area.

Hobart Airport terminal redevelopment – renders

This voluntary program is globally recognised with 96 members operating in over 510 airports in 42 countries with in the Asia-Pacific region. An airport must understand how much carbon it emits every year and from which activities and operations in order to plan how to limit these emissions. Therefore, as a first step, an airport needs to measure its carbon emissions, also known as its carbon footprint. An airport can measure its footprint itself, assisted by the accreditation guidance or get support from one of a number of specialist companies.